Colorado leads the USGBC’s (United States Green Building Council) 2011 list of the top 10 states for LEED-certified commercial and institutional green buildings. The finding are based on per capita and using the 2010 U.S. Census data. The list shows that the Colorado has close to 14 million square feet of LEED-certified space, and 2.74 square feet per person.

According to the USGBC there are over 44,000 commercial projects participating in the LEED program.

“Looking past the bricks and mortar, people are at the heart of what buildings are all about,” said Rick Fedrizzi, the president, CEO, and founding chair of the USGBC, in a press release. “Examining the per capita value of LEED square footage in these states allows us to focus on what matters most—the human elements of green buildings.”

Photo via USGBC

To see the entire list or to learn more about LEED visit www.usgbc.org.

Even the busiest owners of luxury mountain homes can benefit from a trip to the upcoming Colorado Garden and Home Show. The show is an unparalleled venue for viewing the latest trends in architecture and home improvement. February 11-19 at the Colorado Convention center in Denver, the event will feature over 600 vendors and dozens of seminars from experts.

Colorado Garden and Home Show

If you have plans for rejuvenating your home in Colorado, the Colorado Garden and Home Show will help you see firsthand the trends in luxury living. From full-sized landscape exhibitions to the trendiest new lighting fixtures, inspiration can surely be found in the fresh offerings featured at the show.

After walking through the expansive showroom you can attend a free seminar to learn about what is “hot” in remodeling, home improvements and interior decorating. Course offerings also include classes on the latest color trends and green landscape design that could take your home to the next level.

Whether you are planning a major overhaul or simply hoping to add fresh detailing to the exterior or interior of your luxury mountain home, a trip to the Colorado Home and Garden show can help you plan truly impressive improvements.

Trilogy Partners. First-ever Net-Zero Energy Home in Breckenridge, Colorado

Although the notion of an energy efficient or even solar home is not a new concept, there are many modern solutions to the age old problem of staying warm and comfortable within one’s house. Although mountain homes are located in particularly strenuous environments, they do offer many unique approaches to both luxurious comfort and energy efficiency.

The first approach is from the planning and construction. It is best to embed as much of the house as possible within the earth. Primarily it is the exposure to the cold mountainous air and high wind currents which compromises the ambient temperature of the home.

From there it is best to angle the home to maximize solar exposure and minimize exposure to the other elements. Window placement allows to both warm the house and feed the plants which will flourish in the direct sunlight, and the plants in turn stabilize the ambient temperature and humidity.

Water for the plants can be captured from rainfall and snow melt, and further more this same water base can be warmed with rooftop solar water heaters. This captured water can be used throughout the house with little or no filtration necessary depending on the use.

If you are planning on building an energy efficient and sustainable home please give Trilogy Partners a call at 970-453-2230.

Tom Brady has had quite a week, first his team clinches the AFC Championship Game, though barely, and it also seems he and his family are moving into a 22,000 square foot home in Los Angeles, California. This massive home– which features 8 bedrooms, lagoon-shaped pool with spa, wine cellar and its own bridge that adjoins the two wings– has reportedly set the Brady family back $20 million.

What really caught our eye is that Gisele has asked that her home be “eco-friendly”, which is quite a feat with 22,000 square feet of wasted space. The home comes equipped with solar panels, energy-efficient appliances and rainwater recovery programs.

Photo via Fashionista

What do you think of their new home?

Last night The Descendants took home two Golden Globe awards, one for Best Motion Picture – Drama and the other for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for George Clooney. The Descendants tells the story of Matt King, played by George Clooney, who must come to terms with his wife’s betrayal, while she lays comatose in a hospital bed. A parallel storyline in the movie, that entwines with his wife’s affair, is a decision he must make on whether to sell his family shares in 25,000 acres of pristine land on the island of Kaua’i.

Hawaii plays an important part in this film and it’s beauty and poverty are both highlighted. We had a chance to experience the beauty of Hawaii, especially the island of  Kauai, while we remodeled the home of South Park’s Trey Parker. The scenery captured by director Alexander Payne reminds us of our time in this most magical and mystical place.

Take a look at our Kauai home below.

Trilogy Partners

We wanted to wish everyone Happy Holidays from Breckenridge, Colorado. We are so fortunate to live and work in such a beautiful setting like Breckenridge, where it is always a winter wonderland. For those of you in parts of the country who won’t be having a White Christmas we wanted to share some of our favorite “snow” top moments from Colorado.

We hope you enjoy…

Trilogy Partners

Trilogy Partners

Trilogy Partners

It’s not surprising that today marks the first day of winter. It is after all a cold, snowy day here in Breckenridge, Colorado with a low tonight of -6 degrees. In honor of the first day of winter, we complied a list of ways to help you stay warm this winter season. From radiant flooring to ventless fires, see how you can beat that winter chill!

We love Planika’s remote-controlled, smoke-free, eco-friendly, ventless fires. Since there is no need for any kind of ventilation, this “fireplace” can be installed anywhere. In an existing hearth or even in the middle of your coffee table.

Photo via Planika

Photo via Planika

Radiant floors will help keep your toes nice and toasty this time of year. It can even be used with hardwood floors, but be careful of which type you choose, it could possibly expand from the heat.

Photo via Elle Decor

Tired of stepping out of a hot shower and wrapping yourself in a cold towel. Towel warmers in the bathroom will help solve this problem.

Photo via Trendir

How do you stay warm during the winter months?

We understand that many of you find joy decorating your home with thousands of lights during the holiday season, we just want you to think green this year and try using eco-friendly LED lights. Holiday lights use a lot of energy and as you can attest run up your energy bill.

This year decorate your tree with energy-efficient LED (light-emitting diode) lighting. They not only conserve electricity, but are encased in hard plastic, which is safer to use around small children.

Another benefit of using LEDs are that they produce less heat than traditional lighting, reducing the risk of fire.

Photo via Sunset magazine

So this holiday season throw out your old lighting and reach for the LEDs.

Tuesday, December 13th will be a milestone for Kevin Pearce. He will once again strap on his snowboard and take to the mountain with friends and family here in Breckenridge, Colorado. This ride down the mountain will be Kevin’s first since his life-changing accident back in 2009 in Utah. Pearce, a shoe-in for the 2010 United States snowboarding team, was practicing a difficult move in Park City and sustained a serious trauma to his head, which left him in a coma.

Pearce promises there will be “No tricks. No big air. No spins or double corks. No halfpipe.”

Photo via ESPN

“I really couldn’t be much happier about the way things turned out,” Pearce said. “Even the smallest things, like jumping on a snowboard. It has totally changed my perspective.”

With the economy still struggling to rebound it appears that a new American home is emerging. Gone are the extravagant additions and in its place are more practical and functional ones. According to The Wall Street Journal “Tough recent years are leaving their mark on home design…Big home builders, smaller architecture firms and even bathroom-fixture makers are adjusting to the shift toward more practical features and away from the aspirational.”

One of the many changes that are taking shape in this new “economic downturn” era are the abandonment of the “formal” rooms. Formal living and dining rooms are making way for larger kitchens and more closet space. The open family room is now on the scene and is much more functional than a formal living room. Also making a departure is the grand foyer, which is being replaced with “drop zones” or glorified mud rooms.

Families are looking for everyday spaces, a room that will be utilized on a daily basis.

Trilogy Partners

We are also seeing more homes that are incorporating universal design. Elevator shafts are being added to the floor plan and larger showers are replacing the jacuzzis and soaker tubs.

What are some of the ways you think our homes have changed? What aspect of home design is most important to you and your family?